A: I do not generally, when I look in the mirror mornings, think, “There is the acerbic, witty, but hysterically funny Christopher Buckley.” More usually I think, “Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.” I didn’t write ‘humor’ for ten or so years after I graduated from college. It just sort of organically evolved. Whether this amounted to releasing my ‘inner humorist,” who knows. But here I am, unshaven in front of the mirror, wishing for something better than what stares back at me.

Q: As a former reporter, you understand the importance of uncovering the cold hard facts. How much of this former skill do you bring to your writing, and how important is it to you for creating a novel…or is it?

A: I started out as a journalist. I suppose I bring some of a journalist’s skills to what I do. But my skills as a journalist were never really that sharp. I sometimes think that humor is a good profession for those of us who always got things slightly wrong. But I generally do research for my novels, if not to the degree that Tom Wolfe, the Master, does.

Q: Mr. Buckley, what is your greatest ambition at this point in your life, particularly since you have achieved success in both popular fiction writing and in business? Also, how would you characterize any future challenges personally and professionally?

A: My greatest ambition in life? You mean, beyond paying next month’s mortgage? That my two exquisite children will have long, happy and fulfilled lives. Doesn’t that sound smarmy? But it’s really all that matters. Though I will confess that I am in love with a woman from not far from Charlotte (Fort Mill), so part of my ambition is to spend much of the rest of my life with her.

Q: In your writing, you have not-so-gently skewered, among other things, Washington DC politics, the tobacco industry, the suppression of women, business and even religion . What do you hope to accomplish and impart to your readers by exposing the flaws in culture, politics and industry?

A: Without sounding too high-falutin’ about it, I guess any satirist’s hope is that his stuff would make people say, “Gosh, he’s right – we are ridiculous.” But I put myself in the ‘ridiculous’ basket with the rest of humanity.

Q: Did you ever have a real ‘watershed moment’ in your life that propelled you to change direction?

A: Epiphanies come in many sizes. My current epiphany is size XXL.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, past or present, who would it be, and why?

A: Oscar Wilde, without question. He was the wittiest speaker the English language has ever known. I have read everything he ever wrote, and I would love to hear what he actually sounded like. But if Wilde is unavailable, Twain or Lincoln would do nicely.

Q: Your books reflect, in a humorous way, real problems facing men and women, both inside and outside of influence. How does this translate in real life – do you have positive feelings about the state of the world and humanity in general?

A: I try to be optimistic, without being Pollyanna or Dr. Pangloss. Sometimes it’s hard. I suppose that’s why I write what I do. As long as the public continues stubbornly to refuse to put me in charge of everything, then at least I can write my version of reality and say – “Here’s how it should be!”

Q: Can you share with us something about yourself not commonly known?

A: Of course not. But there’s always Google. Cheers. Thanks for asking.

Interview Date: June 2005
Profile and questions compiled by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch Library